I need to share something.
I'm a Christian. I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or as many call us, a "Mormon."
Church lasts three hours every Sunday with a Sacrament Meeting, Sunday School classes for all ages, and then Priesthood meeting for men and young men/Relief Society for women/Young Women for the young women/Primary for the children.
Every first Sunday of the month, we have what is called a "fast and testimony meeting" during the Sacrament Meeting. We fast for 24 hours, give the money we would have spent on food to those who are without, and if we feel prompted by the Spirit, bear our testimonies (what we know and feel to be true) about the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Today was such a day, and it was a wonderful day.
Many people, young and old, stood to bear testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel, and I felt in my heart that what they were saying was true. I also felt as primary children, young men, young women, and adults shared their witnesses and experiences a strange thing, which I have felt before, but never with such strength.
Our ward (geographical "groups" so meeting houses can accommodate everyone) is not perfect. We have arguments, we make mistakes, and we're all sinners, but
we are a family.
I have felt this for some time. I can see so much of an "everyday family" in this ward, and today, I was blessed to really truly feel it.
I have biological family close by (as well as far away), but today, my family grew 400+. I felt with such strength that all those people sitting in that room and those not there (which were many) are my family. FAMILY. I love my family.
We struggle together, cry together, help together and each other, serve together, disagree with each other, get angry and misunderstand each other, apologize to each other, visit each other, feed each other (physically and spiritually), hug each other.
We share.
I cannot fully explain the feelings I experienced, but I can feel there is a connection. There is a reason we often hear it called "the Ward family" through-out the church.
I know the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the true church on the earth today. A prophet and apostles live on the earth today. They direct and guide the Lord's church and they are directed by the Lord. Jesus is the Christ of all who live, have ever lived, and will live. He suffered for our sins, our afflictions, our trials. He died for us and was resurrected for us so that we may live again, like Him.
I bear you my testimony, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
